The UK has the second highest energy drink sales per head in the world.
A survey across 16 countries (including the UK) found that consumption was highest amongst adolescents aged between 10 and 18 years.
Adolescents in the UK consume more energy drinks on average than their counterparts in other EU countries.
Youth energy drink consumers are more likely to have unhealthy diets, and experience hyperactivity and a range of other health effects.
Links have been found between children’s consumption of energy drinks and health complaints such as headaches, stomach aches, tooth decay and sleeping problems.
Commonly occurring symptoms being vomiting, nausea, feeling jittery or on edge, trouble sleeping, palpitations, dizziness, fainting, abdominal pain and headache.
A parent leaflet developed by County Durham Drug and Alcohol Recovery Service provides further information.
